Electromedical appliance.



No. 708,2I6. Patented Sept. 2, |902.

J. 0. FOWLERJR. LECTRUMEDICAL APPUAINCE.

(Application led Mar. S0, 1991;)

(No Modei.)

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UNITED STATES JONATHAN O. FOYLER, JR., OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JOHN lV.

GIBBS, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

ELECTROMEDICAL APPLIANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent No. 708,216, dated September 2, 1902.

Application tiled March 30, 1901.

To ctZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JONATHAN O. FowLEE, Jr., a citizen of the United States of America, and aresident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Electric Appliance, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to appliances used for invigorating or restoring to health the hu man 1o system by means of a gentle continuous or faradic or interrupted current of electricity, and particularly to electric rollers or other devices for therapeutical or massage purposes, whereby said currents can be administered I5 without any manipulation or attention whatever except the ordinary use of the articles; and it has for its object the provision of an appliance of the kind set forth, simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and

zo which combines compactness of structure and light weight and also increased efficiency in practical operation.

To attain the desired end, this my invention consists in the construction, arrangez 5 ment, and operation of parts herein set forth.

In order to enable my invention to be fully understood, I will proceed to explain the same by reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification, in

3o which- Figure l represents a central longitudinal section of an electric roller constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of said roller, taken on the line 8 S, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is acentral longitudinal section of another of my electric massagerollers. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the said roller. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of another roller constructed according 4o to my invention. Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views in detail, taken, respectively, on the lines 6 6 and 7 7of Fig. 5. Fig. S is asection on line 8 S of Fig. l.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the views.

It is well known that when the current is rising in an electric circuit the number of lines of magnetic force passing through it is on the increase. I-Ience an electromotive force is gen- 5o erated which opposes that of the battery and vices.

causes the current to rise slowly. Again,

Serial No. 53,644. (No model.)

when the current begins to decrease the number of lines of force begin to decrease and an electromotive force of induction is called forth, which tends to prolong the current. This weakening of the electromotive force at starting and exaltation at stopping I utilize in my appliance, and I heighten such inductive effects by winding the current-conveyer in a spiral or helical form, as ahelix without a core, or by the use of electromagnetic de- I have therefore constructed accordingto my invention an organization of the class described wherebynutrition is reestablished and vitality restored and tone is given to the blood and tissues and exhausted nerve force is renewed, embodying the preferred construction of parts and their mutual relationship, combination, arrangement, and organization in a composite body or structure, as hereinafter described.

Referring particularly to the drawings, which show my invention applied to a massage-roller, A denotes my electric rollenshell or contact-face portion, which is preferably made in one piece and cylindrical in form, the ends of the same being provided with heads a, constructed of insulating material. Through the cente'..n of the said heads is passed a horizontal bar B, provided with fastening means, as a knob or nut, located at one end and having a screw-threaded portion at the other extremity, which may be engaged with a preferably milled nut b. The bar B is preferably constructed of material capabie of being magnetized and is supported at each end by the upper part of the handle, consisting ordinarily of a bifurcated holder C, provided with a vertical deper` ding portion constructed and arranged to be engaged with the body of the handle D. I locate in the roller A means for generating electricity, as the galvanic battery E, provided with the elements e e'. The parts are so arranged th at when the roller A is rotated the yielding element e' will periodically be impacted with a projecting portion of the bar B, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus making and b eaking the circuit at intervals. I also locate in my roller current-conveying means wound in convolutions, whereby the electromotive force of induction, by which the current is weakened at starting and exalted IDO at stopping, is heightened by the current-conveyer being Wound in a spiral or helical form, as at F, one end of the coil being connected with the element c and the other end of the coil being in contact With the shell A. The depending portion of the holder O, inserted in the handle-body D, is in electric connection with the primary Wire G of an inductioncoil, which is also connected with the metal band H and the secondary Wire G of the induction-coil, which latter is in electric connection with the insulated metal band H, the said bands and induction-coil being preferably located in the handle-body D. Vhen the roller A is rotated, the circuit of the battery E will be completed and broken by the bar B and element e', the current passing from the band I-I to the hand of the operator, thence through the body of the user to the shell A. In addition to the battery-current and the inductiveeffects of the lines of magnetic force an additional induction-current is obtained from the induction-coil G G', the secondary coil being connected with the primary coil and With the metal band II.

Manifestly my appliances may be utilized to administer either .a gentle continuous current or an interrupted or intermittent current, or both. When used in connection with a rheotolne or interrupter, especially Where an induction-coil is inserted in the circuit, each impulse of the electric current causes a mild shock or contraction of the muscular tissues, succeeded With a distinct interval by a momentary sensation or iioW of heat, due to the electric and nervous polarization of the circuit. On opening the circuit again the depolarization of the tissues which ensues is accompanied by a second shock and subsequent iiow ot' heat, which is powerful in proportion to the length of time the circuit has remained closed. y

In the electric roller shown in Fig. 3 one head A of the roller-shell A may consist of metal, and the element e2 of the battery E, supported by the bar B', may be connected With a Wire projecting from the insulated head a of the shell A and provided with radial projections c3, which, With the spring-1inger J, serve to form a rheotome or interrupter. In this instance theinsulated springJis connected With one wire of the primary induction-coil G, and the holder O is in electric connection with the other wire of the said coil. The element e and the shell A are connected, as before, by the coil F. The secondary coil G is connected With the primary coil G and also With the metal band H2, the Whole apparatus forming a complete but mild medical battery.

' In both of these examples of my electric roller described the shell A and the metal portion of the handle form the electrodes of the battery, Which may be of any approved form or construction. In these appliances, which manifestly may be constructed very inexpensively, a gentle current of electricity is generated of sufcient strength to be measured by the proper electrical measuring instruments. It will be observed that Where a rheotome is used the action of the same is automatic-ft'. e., the make and break is made by the ordinary use of the appliance and does not require an independent self-acting or otherwise actuated device. In cases Where a very gentle current is desired the inductioncoil in the handle may be dispensed with, or Where a still milder current is desired the coil in the shell A may be omitted.

Obviously other devices for generating direct currents, or creating or increasing induction-currents bymeans of current-conveying means Wound in convolutions and constructed and arranged to be rotated by the revolution of the rollen-as, for instance, any Wellknown form of electromagnetic armaturecoil,-may be substituted for the coil F, and battery E, I show; as, for example z-In Fig. 5, the roller-shell A is provided With two insulating-heads a2 and c3. The bar B serves in this instance to support a U-shaped part K, constructed of a material capable of being magnetized and carrying tWo coils 7c, connected together and also with the commutator L. One end of the holder C supports a horseshoe-magnet O,`and the two springs M N are respectively connected With the holder O and shell A. The roller A also preferably carries v a battery E, the elements e and e of Which are respectively connected With the holder O and shell A through coil F. A handle and a therein-contained induction-coil (not shown) may be used in connection with the holder O, as represented in Figs. l or 3.

It Will be noted that in my device for applying electricity the electricity is generated When the roller-shell is moved around its axis by mechanical means-namely, as in Fig. l, by the closing and interruption of the circuit by the periodical engagement of the tWo members of my electricity-generating system--namely, the projecting portion of the preferably magnetized bar B with the battery element e-and in Fig. 5 by the closing and interruption of the circuit by the magnet O B', electromagnet K 7s, and commutator L.

It is manifest that various omissions of TOO IIO

some particulars could be made Without ma- Y terially affecting the essential features of my invention or the operation of the remaining parts, and I do not, therefore, Wish to be limited to the specic structural details of the organization herein set forth.

Obviously the elements of the structure described may be located at an angle to the plane in which they are shown. I accordingly use the Words horizontal, vertical, and the like in a relative sense.

The special utility of this system lies in the fact that While electricity is known to be a cure for various ailments it is also possible by a slight faradic current applied morning and evening to the face, neck, or shoulders or other parts of the person to nourish the body and greatly improve the complexion, the application of the current for this purpose being natural and based on the simplest laws of electrical and physiological effect. The modification of the muscular tissue produced by this means is said to be primarily the result of the influence of the current upon the nerves, both in their movement and in their nourishment, the healthfulness of the skin following an improved condition of the blood, and the increased flow of the latter involving augmented nourishment and capacity to eliminate deleterious matter.

In practical use the handle of my electric roller is grasped by the hand, and the roller is applied to the particular portion of the body desired to be treated, the current passing from the hand through the body to the part in contact with the roller. The electric current administered by my roller, which stimulates the circulation and tones up the muscular structure, does not give a heavy shock nor does it have the pricking, burning, disagreeable sensation that follows the use of the ordinarily very powerful medical battery, and the cylinder may be rolled over any part of the face or body at the discretion of the user, the application of my roller being not only painless, but also effectual for muscle and tissue building. By the use of this application of lny invention it will be seen that the combined benefits of the ordinary massage-roller and the application of self-produced electric currents are secured.

Obviously my invention may be embodied in other forms of mechanism than that which I have described and is applicable to and may be advantageously employed in many kinds of electric appliances, and I do not, therefore, Wish to limit myself to the use of my device in connection with electric massage-rollers alone.

As it is evident that many changes in the form, proportion, construction, and relative arrangement of parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, but that such changes and equivalents may be substituted therefor and that What I claim as my invention is l. In a device for applying electricity, the combination of a hollow roller-shell, a handle therefor, and means for generating a current of electricity Within said roller-shell, and also means for connecting the said electricity-generator with the shell, and an induction-coil located in said handle.

2. In a device for applying electricity, the combination of a roller, a handle therefor, and means'forgeneratingelectricitymechanically, said electricity-generating means being constructed and arranged to be operated by the motion of the roller, and an induction-coil located in said handle.

3. In a device for applying electricity, the combination of a hollow roller-shell, a handle therefor, and means for generating a current of electricity Within said roller-shell, and also means for connecting said electricity-generator with the shell, and an induction-coil located in said handle.

4C. In a device for applying electricity, the combination of a roller, a handle therefor, and means for generating a series of induced currents of electricity mechanically, contained Within said shell, said electricity-generating means being constructed and arranged to be operated by the motion of the roller, and an induction-coil located in said handle.

5. In a device for applying electricity, the combination with a movable roller-shell, and a handle therefor, of a relatively stationary part forming one member of the electricitygenerating system, and of another member of the generator of electricity secured to said shell, to cause the operation of the generator of electricity by the motion of the roller, and an induction-coil located`in said handle.

6. In a device for applying electricity, a roller, a handle therefor, a coil of wire contained within the roller, and means to set up in said coil au induced current of electricity by the motion of the roller, and an inductioncoil located in said handle.

7. In a device for applying electricity, the combination of a roller, and a handle therefor, and a coil of Wire located adjacent to the roller, and means to set up a series of induced currents of electricity in said coil by the motion of the roller, and an induction-coil located in said handle.

8. In a device for applying electricity, a roller, a handle therefor, a coil of Wire, and means to set up in said coil an induced cnrrent of electricity by the motion of the roller, and an inductioncoil located in said handle.

In testimony of the foregoing specification I do hereby sign lthe same in the city of New York, county and State of New York, this 15th day of March, A. D. 1901.

JONATHAN O. FOWLER, JR.

Witnesses:

JOHN C. WALL, CHARLES H. JACKSON.

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